Falcons’ updated depth chart: After the release of Casey Hayward

072822 Flowery Branch, Ga.: Atlanta Falcons cornerback Casey Hayward (29) during Falcons training camp at the Falcons Practice Facility Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

April 25, 2023

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons now have a hole at right cornerback after releasing Casey Hayward, who opened the 2022 season as a starter at the position.

The release of Hayward, which saved the Falcons $5 million in salary-cap space, could be an indicator of the franchise’s plan to take a cornerback in the first round of the NFL draft, which is set for Thursday through Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. Recently acquired cornerback Jeff Okudah and Cornell Armstrong, who started four games for the Falcons at the position last season, moved up on the depth chart.

Hayward started six games in 2022, but had his season cut short after he sustained a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery. The two-time former Pro Bowler was hoping to play another season in the NFL. He’s set to turn 34 in September.

As for the draft, Devon Witherspoon of Illinois, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. are considered the top prospects at the position.

Here’s what the updated depth chart looks like:

OFFENSE

QB – Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside, Feleipe Franks

RB – Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams, *Caleb Huntley, B.J. Baylor

FB – Keith Smith, Clint Ratkovich

WR – Drake London, KhaDarel Hodge, Frank Darby, *Jared Bernhardt, Josh Ali

TE – *Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith, Parker Hesse, Feleipe Franks, *John FitzPatrick, Tucker Fisk, John Raine

LT – Jake Matthews, Germain Ifedi

LG – Kyle Hinton, Matt Hennessy, *Jalen Mayfield, *Justin Shaffer

C – Drew Dalman, Ryan Neuzil, Jonotthan Harrison

RG – Chris Lindstrom

RT – Kaleb McGary, Tyler Vrabel, Joshua Miles, Ethan Greenidge